This Grandma has written about Brad Meltzer and his series of children’s books, including one on Leonardo da Vinci.* His series of children’s books called “Ordinary People Change the World” are wonderful non fiction books to introduce to grandchildren. Find his children’s books “Ordinary People Change the World” series at Amazon.
This Grandma feels that it is grandparents’ duty to expose the grandchildren to as many different types of experiences as possible to increase their intelligence and world knowledge. One way to do this is concentrate on an area, as long as the grandparents love the area or want to learn something new. This Grandma has always been drawn to art and artists, and the Sun Sentinel, October 9, 2016, highlighted a new children’s book that seems unique, “The Sleeping Gypsy,” by Merdicai Gerstein, about which the reviewer, Nara Schoenberg, writes, “[a] Caldecott winning author and illustrator offers a master class in art appreciation with this inspired imaging of the creation of a new painting. . . a rare opporunity for kids–and adults–to step inside a world masterpiece and marvel at its inner workings.” The books sounds like an amazing experience, inspired by Henri Rousseau’s famous painting of “The Sleeping Gypsy,” a story of how the painting was created a beautiful and imaginative way and with gorgeous illustrations.
On Amazon, the book is described further and you can sample the book..
The Amazon.com biography of the author, Merdicai Gerstein, shows how introduction to art can be important to ones life:
“Mordicai Gerstein is the author and illustrator of The Man Who Walked Between the Towers, winner of the Caldecott Medal, and has had four books named New York Times Best Illustrated Books of the Year. Gerstein was born in Los Angeles in 1935. He remembers being inspired as a child by images of fine art, which his mother cut out of Life magazine, and by children’s books from the library: I looked at Rembrandt and Superman, Matisse and Bugs Bunny, and began to make my own pictures. He attended Chouinard Art Institute in Los Angeles, and then got a job in an animated cartoon studio that sent him to New York, where he designed characters and thought up ideas for TV commercials. When a writer named Elizabeth Levy asked him to illustrate a humorous mystery story about two girls and a dog, his book career began, and soon he moved on to writing as well as illustrating.”
There are several series, and even board books for toddlers, that offer grandparents an opportunity to introduce grandchildren to famous artists and their masterpieces through books series on them. You never know where such exposure may lead.
Take a look at this board book Masterpiece series for the youngest grandchildren, which “introduces 4 famous artists; In the Garden with Van Gogh, A Picnic with Monet, Sharing with Renoir, and Quiet Time with Cassat to the very youngest readers with these enchanting board books. Ten timeless paintings per book and playful, rhyming verses will inspire a love for the artistry of these 4 masters. Each book includes brief facts about each painting.” Buy at Amazon.
One series that crosses over from impressionist to modern art masters is called the “Getting to Know the World’s Greatest Artists” series, which includes Andy Warhol and Jackson Pollock, among other greats:
Barron’s Anholt’s Artists Books for Children series, in which author and illustrator Laurence Anholt recalls memorable and sometimes amusing moments when the lives of the artists were touched by children are found here.
They concentrate on the impressionists and are for children age 6-9, but could be read to younger grandchildren too.
The “Smart About Art” series shows beautiful artwork by each featured artist.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art publishes some books for children on artists and more of art interest. See this link.
There are even activity books about artists. See this activity book about Leonardo da Vinci and his art.
A spark of an interest may lead to an outing to a museum and to further adventures. You never know. You may end up having the opportunity to take a grandchild to Paris to see art masterpieces in person with
Joy,
Mema
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